Visual Arts

It is the focus of the Worcester Public Schools to provide a hands-on, sequential visual arts program where students learn basic arts literacy while learning higher order thinking skills. Students learn to communicate their ideas and beliefs reflecting cultural diversity and interdisciplinary study through a variety of art mediums, techniques and technology. Through the visual arts program students appreciate the value of art in their daily lives and learn to contribute to society through their art.

Grade K Art

The areas of study include the introduction and exploration of a variety of lines, shape as a closed line, geometric shapes, features of face for portraiture, concept of overlapping shapes, the difference between two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects, pliable materials, primary colors, secondary colors by mixing primary colors, light and dark, and texture through touch.

Grade 1 Art

Areas if study will include the introduction and creation of directional lines, properties of lines, complex objects by combining geometric shapes, symmetrical shape through bilateral cutting, stenciling, features in portraiture, shapes in foreground and background space, three-dimensional forms of objects with pliable materials, warm and cool colors, neutral colors, light and dark colors through the addition of neutral colors, illusion of texture on a two-dimensional surface through the use of lines and rubbing.

Grade 2 Art

Areas of study will include introducing the use of a straight edge tool and lines to show motion, weather, mood, repeating shapes to create patterns, organic shapes and differentiating geometric from organic shapes, cutting multiple shapes by stacking paper and cutting simultaneously, diversity through portraiture, landscape drawing, paper as a form of three-dimensional sculpture, secondary colors and creating mood through the use of color, tint and shade to express light and dark colors, use of texture to add details to two-dimensional and three-dimensional work.

Grade 3 Art

Areas of study will include the introduction of horizontal line to depict the horizon in a drawing, geometric shapes as the basis for realistic drawings, portraiture through the use of a model, atmospheric perspective, modeling three-dimensional sculptures through the use of a variety of materials, the coil method of hand building in clay, drawing shapes and shadows, awareness of texture in nature and the man-made world.

Grade 4 Art

Areas if study will include the introduction to parallel and perpendicular lines, the concept of positive and negative space as shapes, portraiture in profile, one point perspective, additive and subtractive sculpture process, the color wheel with primary, secondary and intermediate colors, complementary color harmony, color values through the use of white, gray and black, and inventive texture in two-dimensionaland three-dimensional art work.

Grade 5 Art

Areas of study will include introduction of the grid method of enlargement, negative space drawing, portraiture in combination with figure drawing, one point perspective drawing of a city scene, relief sculpture and modeling of sculpture in the round using animal forms, monochromatic color harmony, drawing with the use of hatching, cross-hatching lines and stippling to produce value, and textural components of the face and figure.

Grade 6 Art

Areas of study will include the introduction to using shapes to express mood or emotion, two-point perspective with simple shapes, psychology of color in art, transparent, translucent and opaque paints, organizing shapes into a composition, careers in two-dimensional and three dimensional art, modeling of human bust through sculpture, the distinction between visual and tactile texture.

Grade 7 Art

Areas of study will include the application of the properties and qualities of line, detailed use of one point perspective, review of color theory; use of geometric, freeform and realistic shapes through balance and composition, translation of two-dimensional sketches into three-dimensional form, translation of two-dimensional sketches from three-dimensional objects, use of basic proportions of the human figure in drawing and value gradation to draw visual forms, develop a sense of balance and contrast in the use and placement of texture within a composition.

Grade 8 Art

Areas of study include the application of linear patterns within a composition, emphasis of linear qualities in lettering design, use of two-point linear perspective in creating the illusion of spatial depth, review of color characteristics and combinations, introduction of split complementary as well as saturated color harmony, use of color to create aerial perspective, creation of abstract shapes based on realistic objects, organization of patterns through various design concepts, use of overlapping background, middle ground and foreground shapes, drawing the human head using proper proportions of form, creation of the illusion of three-dimensional texture on a two-dimensional surface, application of a variety of textures within a composition and applying the concept of balance in the selective placement of textures within a composition

2D Design

2D Design will use the Elements and Principles of Design to explore works on a Two Dimensional plane. Students will begin to appreciate the difference between expression and communication as well as aspects of inquiry and problem solving. Projects will reveal works that explore experimentation, invention, and technical mastery. They will use traditional and digital media to understand the creative process of fully realizing a successful project from concept to completion.

Advanced 2D Design

2D Design will continue to use the Elements and Principles of Design to explore works on a Two Dimensional plane. Students will solidify the difference between expression and communication as well as aspects of inquiry and problem solving. Projects will reveal works that explore experimentation, invention, and technical mastery. They will use traditional and digital media to understand the creative process of fully realizing a successful project from concept to completion. Course will be divided into Illustration, Commercial Design, Digital Photography, and Multi Media.

Magnet 2D Design

2D Design will use the Elements and Principles of Design to explore works on a Two Dimensional plane. Students will begin to appreciate the difference between expression and communication as well as aspects of inquiry and problem solving. Projects will reveal works that explore experimentation, invention, and technical mastery. Students will use traditional and digital media to understand the creative process of fully realizing a successful project from concept to completion. Course will be divided into Illustration, Commercial Design, Digital Photography, and Multi Media. Students will critique, justify and present choices in the process of analyzing, selecting, curating, and presenting works of art for a specific exhibit or event.

Magnet Advanced 2D Design

2D Design will continue to use the Elements and Principles of Design to explore works on a Two Dimensional plane. Students will solidify the difference between expression and communication as well as aspects of inquiry and problem solving. Projects will reveal works that explore experimentation, invention, and technical mastery. Students will use traditional and digital media to understand the creative process of fully realizing a successful project from concept to completion. Course will be divided into Illustration, Commercial Design, Digital Photography, and Multi Media. Students will curate a collection of designed objects or projects to impact the viewer’s understanding of social, cultural and or political experiences.

3D Design

Students will use the Elements and Principles of Design to visualize, design and build works in a Three Dimensional plane, whether physical or virtual. They will broaden their fabrication techniques through investigating a range of materials. Students will address issues of understanding and envisioning space, objects, scale and the built environment. This studio will involve assignments and critiques in which students are encouraged to think through 3 Dimensional works in an additive and/or subtractive method. Research, reflection and critique of current sculptural practices will be considered.

Advanced 3D Design

Students will continue to use the Elements and Principles of Design to visualize, design and build works in a Three Dimensional plane, whether physical or virtual. They will master their fabrication techniques through self - selected projects involving multiple materials. Students will address issues of understanding and envisioning space, objects, scale and the built environment. Research, reflection and critique of current and historical sculptural practices will be considered.

Magnet 3D Design

Students will use the Elements and Principles of Design to visualize, design and build works in a Three Dimensional plane, whether physical or virtual. They will broaden their fabrication techniques through investigating a range of materials. Students will address issues of understanding and envisioning space, objects, scale and the built environment. This studio will involve assignments and critiques in which students are encouraged to think through 3 Dimensional works in an additive and/or subtractive method. Research, reflection and critique of current sculptural practices will be considered. Students will critique, justify and present choices in the process of analyzing, selecting, curating, and presenting works of art for a specific exhibit or event.

Magnet Advanced 3D Design

Students will continue to use the Elements and Principles of Design to visualize, design and build works in a Three Dimensional plane, whether physical or virtual. They will master their fabrication techniques through self - selected projects involving multiple materials. Students will address issues of understanding and envisioning space, objects, scale and the built environment. Research, reflection and critique of current and historical sculptural practices will be considered. Students will curate a collection of objects, artifacts, or artworks to impact the viewer’s understanding of social, cultural and or political experiences.

Drawing

Students will learn to create two dimensional drawings expressed through a range of individual concepts, contemporary concerns and various materials. Various classification of drawings will be explores to include: Line, Mood and Value, Still Life, Landscape, Ornamental. Students will communicate ideas from observation, memory, and imagination. Contemporary and Historical refereed will be used to increase the students ability to interpret, respond and understand various concepts in the medium.

Advanced Drawing

Students will continue create two dimensional drawings expressed through a range of individual concepts, contemporary concerns and various materials. Various classifications of drawings will be explored to include: Line, Mood and Value, Still Life, Landscape, Ornamental, Portraiture and Illustration. Students will communicate ideas from observation, memory, and imagination. Contemporary and Historical refereed will be used to increase the students’ ability to interpret, respond and understand various concepts in the medium.

Magnet Drawing

Students will learn to create two dimensional drawings expressed through a range of individual concepts, contemporary concerns and various materials. Various classifications of drawings will be explored to include: Line, Mood and Value, Still Life, Landscape, Ornamental, Portraiture and Illustration. Students will communicate ideas from observation, memory, and imagination. Contemporary and Historical refereed will be used to increase the students’ ability to interpret, respond and understand various concepts in the medium. Students will critique, justify and present choices in the process of analyzing, selecting, curating, and presenting works of art for a specific exhibit or event.

Magnet Advanced Drawing

Students will continue create two dimensional drawings expressed through a range of individual concepts, contemporary concerns and various materials. Various classifications of drawings will be explored to include: Line, Mood and Value, Still Life, Landscape, Ornamental, Portraiture and Illustration. Students will communicate ideas from observation, memory, and imagination. Contemporary and Historical refereed will be used to increase the students’ ability to interpret, respond and understand various concepts in the medium. Students will curate a collection of objects, artifacts, or artworks to impact the viewer’s understanding of social, cultural and or political experiences.

Foundations Visual Arts

Painting

Students will learn to create two - dimensional paintings expressed through a range of individual concepts, contemporary concerns and various materials. Students will communicate ideas in painting that explore the styles of representation, non-representation and abstraction. Painting concepts will explore the elements of two dimensional design and concepts in critical thinking. Contemporary and historical references will be used to increase the students’ ability to interpret, respond and understand various concepts in the medium.

Advanced Painting

Students will continue to create two - dimensional paintings expressed through a range of individual concepts, contemporary concerns and various materials. Students will communicate ideas in painting that explore the styles of representation, non-representation and abstraction. Painting concepts will explore the elements of two dimensional design and concepts in critical thinking. Contemporary and historical references will be used to increase the students’ ability to interpret, respond and understand various concepts in the medium.

Magnet Painting

Students will create two - dimensional paintings expressed through a range of individual concepts, contemporary concerns and various materials. Students will communicate ideas in painting that explore the styles of representation, non-representation and abstraction. Painting concepts will explore the elements of two dimensional design and concepts in critical thinking. Contemporary and historical references will be used to increase the students’ ability to interpret, respond and understand various concepts in the medium. Critique, justify, and present choices in the process of analyzing, selecting, curating, and presenting works of art for a specific exhibit or event.

Magnet Advanced Painting

Students will continue to create two - dimensional paintings expressed through a range of individual concepts, contemporary concerns and various materials. Students will communicate ideas in painting that explore the styles of representation, non-representation and abstraction. Painting concepts will explore the elements of two dimensional design and concepts in critical thinking. Contemporary and historical references will be used to increase the students’ ability to interpret, respond and understand various concepts in the medium. Students will curate a collection of paintings to impact a viewer’s understanding of social, cultural and or political experiences.

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